Train order hoop holder



Nov. M, 1941. H, DA HERW 2,262,6Q3

TRAIN ORDER HOOP HOILDER Filed Dec. 9, 1940 INVENTOR. FfflDaugberiy- A TTORNEY.

Patented Nov. 11, 1941 UNITED STATES A PATENT OFFICE TRAIN ORDER HOOP HOLDER Frank H. Daugherty, Chico, Calif. Application December 9, 1940, Serial No. 369,264 (01. 2582) 3 Claims.

This invention relates to a train order hoop holder which is adapted to be disposed adjacent a railroad track and to releasably support a train order hoop in proper lateral and vertical position to be arm-caught by a crew member, such as the engineer, of a moving train.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a train order hoop holder which includes a unique supporting and holding arrangement for the conventional long handled hoop to which the train order is attached.

Another object of the invention is to provide hoop supporting and holding means which is constructed so that wind, or the suction of a passing train, will not release the hoop from the holder.

A further object of the invention is to provide a train' order hoop holder which is constructed with a plurality of hoop supporting and holding clamps disposed in predetermined vertically spaced relation whereby a plurality of hoops may be supported for arm pick-up by different members of the crew. The height of each hoop above the ground depends on the height at which the crew member for which each hoop is intended will reach for the hoop; the engineer reaching at one height, the conductor at another, etc.

It is also an object to provide a train order hoop holder which includes an effective hoop supporting and holding device which allows the hoop to escape without jarring or excessive drag on the trainmans arm when the hoop is caught thereon.

Further objects are to provide a device for the purpose which requires no skill in its operation, and which incorporates no expensive bearings or the like, or any possible trouble-giving parts in its construction.

A further object of the invention is to produce a simple and inexpensive device and yet one which will be exceedingly effective for the purpose for which it is designed.

These objects I accomplish by means of such structure and relative arrangement of parts as will fully appear by a perusal of the following specification and claims.

In the drawing similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several views:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the train order hoop holder as in use and from the direction the train approaches.

Figure 2 is an enlarged side elevation of one of the hoop supporting and holding devices.

Figure 3 is a back end view of the device shown in Fig. 2.

Referring now more particularly to the characters of reference on the drawing, the train order hoop holder comprises a relatively tall vertical staff or post I whose lower end is removably seated in a permanent socket 2 set in the railroad station platform 3 a predetermined distance laterally of the track. A plurality of hoop supporting and holding devices or clamps, indicated generally at 4, are secured on the post in vertically spaced relation; each device being adapted to receive and releasably support the handle 5 of a conventional train order hoop 6. The handle 5 is supported horizontally with the hoop 6 disposed between post I and the track at right angles to the latter and in a vertical plane. Each of the supported hoops is intended for a predetermined one of the train crew, and the vertical position of corresponding devices 4 is determined by the height above the platform 3 at which the given trainman will reach for his hoop from the moving train.

In order that the hoops 6 may be seen at night, such hoops are illuminated by any suitable means such as a common flashlight I suspended from a hook 8 on the post below devices 4; the flashlight projecting its beam upward.

Each of the supporting and holding devices or clamps 4 comprises a horizontal, rectangular plate 9 having a notch in one end centrally of the side edges and through which notch post I extends; the plate being attached to the post by integral, upstanding flanges l0 disposed on opposite sides of the post receiving notch, and a diagonal brace extending from the post below the plate to the outer end of the latter.

The plate 9 is of such size that it extends horizontally out from opposite sides of post I, and alsoprojects a substantially greater distance from the back of the post or in a direction away from the railroad track. A shelf is thus formed about opposite sides and the back of the post.

On this shelf and in back of the post I provide two pairs of integral, upstanding ears 12; each pair being disposed some distance inwardly from one side edge of plate 9, and the ears of each pair being spaced apart in a plane at right angles to the post and connected by horizontal pins I3.

Vertically swingable jaws l4 project from between the pairs of ears toward and cooperate with the adjacent top side portions N3 of plate 9, and which portions serve as fixed jaws. These jaws when engaged with portions [5 slope upwardly and inwardly some distance and thence bend downwardly and are formed as a hinging v or pivoting yoke I 6 which rides the corresponding pin l3 from beneath.

Operating handles I! are formed integral with and extend upward from yokes IS in normally diverging relation. A compression spring [8 is engaged between handles l1 and held against escape by means of locating bosses l9. As is obvious, spring I 8 normally urges both jaws 14 into engagement with plate portions l5.

In use, the train order hoops are supported and held by the clamps in proper position in the following manner:

The handle 5 of each hoop is ordinarily seated intermediate its ends on the plate 9 adjacent the side edge thereof and on the side from which the train approaches; such handle 5 being engaged fromabove by the corresponding spring urged jaw l4 and so releasably secured in place. The handle 5 of the hoop abuts against the outward ends of adjacent ears I 2 as well as the outer face of the adjacent flange I0, and as the outer ends of said ears and said face of the flange are in substantial alinement in a vertical 7 plane, the handle is disposed at right angles to the track as is desired. If, however, a strong wind is blowing lengthwise of the track, as is frequently the case in certain districts, the handles are placed on the side of the stafi from which the wind is blowing, so that the wind pressure will hold the handles against the staff instead of tending to dislodge the handles from position as would otherwise be the case, This is because, since the handle 5 is supported in the clamp intermediate its ends and engages the ears and flange as above, the wind force urges the handle 5 toward the post but does not trip the handle from the clamp.

When a trainman picks up the hoop 6 on his arm, and as the train passes staff I, said hoop (if in the first named position relative to the staff) is carried in a direction to cause handle 5 toswing on the engaged flange I!) as a fulcrum and the leverage results in said handle snapping out from beneath jaw l4 and releasing entirely from the device.

It will be seen that as the clamping device is a dual assembly, the handle may be supported and clamped on the plate on opposite sides of the post and depending on the direction of approach of the train or wind, as previously described.

The device is of relatively light weight construction and is portable, so that on busy station platforms it may be removed from, the socket and set aside or hung up when not in use.

The advantages of the device are that train order hoops may be delivered readily and safely to members of a train crew without necessity of slowing up the train with resultant loss of time and fuel, and in addition the danger of death or injury to station operators, who now manually 1 hand up the hoops, would be avoided. Furthersockets for the staff at various points, the one I device (sinceit is light and portable) can be used in connection with either a main track or siding as may be necessary.

From the foreging description it will be readily seen that I have produced such a device as substantially fulfills the objects of the invention as set forth herein.

While this specification sets forth in detail the present and preferred construction of the device, still in practice such deviations from such detail may be resorted to as do not form a departure from the spirit of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and useful and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A train order hoop holder comprising an prising a compression spring engaged between said handles.

2. A train order hoop holder comprising an upstanding post, a hoop handle supporting plate mounted on and projecting from said post, oppositelyprojecting jaws'each having a pivot element thereon at adjacent ends of said jaws, means pivoting said elements in connection with the plate whereby said jaws cooperate with the plate as a fixed jaw, an upstanding actuating handle on each of said pivot elements, and a compression spring engaged between said handles and urging said jaws toward the plate.

3. A train order hoop holder comprising an upstanding post, a flat plate mounted substan tially horizontally on and'projecting from the post, two pairs of spaced ears projecting up from the plate in laterally offset relation to the post, spaced parallel pins each connecting the ears of one of said pairs, jaws pivoted on said pinsand projecting in opposite directions therefrom for cooperation with the plate as a fixed jaw, and spring means urging the movable' jaws toward the plate; the post forming a fulcrum element upstanding from the plate laterally of the jaws and in a vertical plane centrally therebetween.

FRANK H. DAUGHERTY. 

